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Around 4,000 B.C. at what today is Samrong Sen at Lake Tonle Sap, a human society developed a remarkable level of civilization. As has been found in excavations, at that time, people already built houses on stilts, just like they still do today at lake Tonle Sap. Very little is known about prehistoric Cambodia, although archeological evidence has established that prior to 1,000 BC, Cambodians subsisted on a diet of fish and rice.

PRE-ANGKOR PERIOD - before 802

In the mid 6th century a vassal state of the Funan in the northern part of today’s Cambodia, called by the Chinese as "Chenla", took over the kingdom of Funan. From the mid 6th to the 9th century, there was a lot of turmoil in the region. The early history of the Khmer is known as the pre-Angkor period. It begins with the second century AD, and the foundation of the kingdom of Funan. The religious center was established in the southern part of the Mekong (today’s Vietnam) at Oc Eo, a city on the Gulf of Thailand. Funan was well known by the Chinese, Indian and throughout South-East Asia as a trading center. The contact with the Indians, brought elements of their culture and religion to the kingdom of Funan. However, it was the Angkorian era, beginning in the 8th century, that really transformed the kingdom into an artistic and religious power. The South-East Asian kingdom of Funan played a vital role in developing the political institutions, culture and art of later Khmer states. It was the oldest Indianized state in Southeast Asia, and from this period Cambodia’s first writing language Sanskrit began. Influenced by Indian cultures, Funan accepted Hinduism, which was latter converted to Buddhism. What makes Cambodians different from its neighbors is due to the fact that Cambodians wear scarves, called Kramas, rather than straw hats.

ANGKOR PERIOD - 802-1431

From the 9th to the 13th century, the Angkor period existed. In 790 AD, King Jayavarman II came back from Java, where he was detained for several years. In 802, the prince who was born and raised at the court of the Javanese Sailendra Dynasty, declared the areas inhabited by Khmer independent from Java and thus founds the kingdom of Angkor. He was crowned as Devaraja (god king) by a Brahman priest. In the following years he moved his capital several times. Initially it was at Indrapura (east of Kampong Cham), then at Wat Phou (in today's southern Laos) and finally at Rolous (near Angkor). It was this king who founded the Khmer empire, reunifying the Khmers and freeing them from the Javanese vassalage. This liberation was celebrated in 802 AD on Phnom Kulen, a hill north of the lake Tonle Sap. Some temples on Mount Kulen are attributed to his reign. He was succeeded by his son Jayavarman III. The origins of the next king, Indravarman I, are obscure. He founded Preah Ko (879) and the Bakong (881), both at the village of Roluos. Lolei, also at Roluos, was consacrated in 893 by Yasovarman I, the son of Indravarman I who succeeded him. Phnom Bakheng (end of the ninth century) was the state temple of this king. Harsavarman I, son and successor of Yasovarman I, built Baksei Chamkrong (beginning of the tenth century). Prasat Kravan was built during the reign of his successor, his brother Isanavarman II, in c. 925. Jayavarman IV, uncle of the two previous kings, was the next king. His capital was in Koh Ker. He was succeeded by his son Harsavarman II. In 944, a ruler of a principality, seized supreme power and established himself as king Rajendravarman in Angkor. His state temple was Pre Rup. During his reign also the beautiful temple Banteay Srei was built. Successive kings were Jayavarman V and Udayadityavarman I. In 1002 two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I, made claims to the supreme throne. After nine years of war Suryavarman I appeared more powerful. He reigned until 1049. During his long reign he established a large number of temples, among which Phimeanakas. Udayadityavarman II succeeded Suryavarman II in 1050. He founded the Baphuon. After his death in about 1066 his brother, Harsavarman III, ascended the throne. He was succeeded by Jayavarman VI, who died in about 1107, and Dharanindravarman I, whose reign was only very brief. The latter was overruled by one of his nephews, Suryavarman II, who was inaugurated in 1113. During his long reign Angkor Wat was built. From 1150 to 1165 Yasovarman II was the supreme king. He probably restored some of the temples of the Roluos group. An usurper, who installed himself on the throne as Tribhuvanadityavarman, made an end to his reign. He himself was killed by a Cham king, who was in his turn overpowered by Jayavarman VII. Only four years after the Cham aggression, in 1181, Jayavarman VII was consecrated supreme king. Many monuments have survived from his reign among which Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei, the terrace of Sras Srang, and Angkor Thom with the Bayon and the elephant terrace, for instance. Jayavarman VII died in about 1220. From the thirteenth century onwards only few monuments have survived. In 1431 the Khmer kings moved their capital from Angkor to the region of Phnom Penh because of pressure from the Thais. This date marks the end of the Angkor period.

For the six hundred years of the Angkor Period, the kingdom of Cambodia flourished. At its peak, the Angkor Empire extended from the border of modern day Burma east to the South China Sea and north to Laos. Of the great Kings who built famous temples were King Suryavarman II who built the world’s renowned Angkor Wat, whereas King Jayavarman VII successfully made aggressive construction of most of largest temples of Angkor, particularly Great City known as Angkor Thom. Not only were the temples the success of those Angkor Kings, but also vast man-made lakes with water exits for centuries together with its sophisticated system of irrigation such as canals and dikes. This enabled rice cultivation for 3 times a year, and that Angkor was a wealthy empire. As Angkor period ended, the city moved to Longvek, then to Oudong and finally to the present day capital of Phnom Penh.

POST ANGKOR PERIOD - Post 1431

In 1431, the king of Cambodia left the Royal City and the court moved south, beyond the Great Lake, after the Siam (today Thailand) captured Angkor. Most of the sources refers that the capital was moved to Srei Santhor. Until the 17th century the king and his court settled at other sites, such as Udong and Lovek. When the forces of the Thai kingdom of Ayudhya sacked Angkor in 1431, it left the Khmers plagued by dynastic rivalries and continual warfare with the Thais for a century and a half. This fall of Angkor marked the collapse of Cambodia Empire, which resulted in invasion and ransacks by its neighbors including the Thais and Vietnamese from the 15th to 17th centuries. This was mainly to conflict by royal courts. The post Angkor era also brought about a rapid expansion of Theravada Buddhism. During this period, Angkor was never left by the Khmers. There were monks on the site of Angkor Wat, taking care of the temples. And the temples were not first discovered by the French, as mentioned many times. Before the French came to Angkor, a few traders, adventurers stopped there from the middle of the 16th century. The temples were visited by the Portuguese such as the chronicler Diogo do Couto, Spanish’s and Japanese pilgrims. The first recorded drawn map of Angkor Wat was around 1630. The Spanish and Portuguese, who had recently become active in the region, also played a part in these wars until resentment of their power led to the massacre of the Spanish garrison at Phnom Penh in 1599. A series of weak kings ruled from 1600 until the French arrived in 1863.

In 1794 Thailand annexed the provinces Battambang and Angkor. After the Thais opened its doors to Europe, many Western floated to Thailand. Henry Mouhot arrived in Bangkok in September 1858, which was the starting point to visit Angkor. Although the temples of Angkor where mentioned by his predecessor, as strange and grandiose sights, there where no illustration of the temples. Henry Mouhot was filling this gap. For this reason he became famous, but after his death. Mouhot died of exhaustion on 10 November 1860 near Luang Prabang, Laos. His description of Angkor was published in English for the first time in 1864 with a foreword by his brother. He referred to the "vast ruins which he discovered in Cambodia". This is perhaps the reason, why the fact, that Mouhot had "discovered“ Angkor, was mainly accepted. In 1863, before Mouhot’s description was published, the French Vice-Admiral Bonard visited Cambodia for the first time. His goal was to reach an agreement with the Cambodian king to turn Cambodia and Angkor into a French protectorate. After some gunboat diplomacy, the signing of a treaty of protectorate occurred in 1863 and the French went on to force King Norodom to sign another treaty, this time turning his country into a virtual colony in 1884. A relatively peaceful period followed (even the peasant uprising of 1916 was considered peaceful). On April 17, 1864, after being alternatively controlled by Thailand or Vietnam for more than 400 years, Cambodian King Norodom accepts for his country the status of a French protectorate. King Norodom expects the French to protect Cambodia from the neighboring countries Siam (Thailand) and Vietnam. However, the French protectors cannot prevent politically strong Siam from temporarily annexing western parts of the country, including the town of Battambang. Nevertheless, by recognizing French rule, King Norodom preempted moves of Siam and Vietnam to entirely divide his country between them. In past centuries the loss of territory to Vietnam had been more significant. The Mekong delta, or rather the entire present day South Vietnam, had been settled by Cambodians until well into the 18th century. From 1884, with the Cambodia's status changed from protectorate to colony, the political influence of the French grows, and together with Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia becomes part of the Union Indochina's. In subsequent decades the French colonial masters install a European administrative system in Cambodia and improve the infrastructure of the country. Nevertheless, the economical development of the French Union Indochina's does not reach the extent of Burma's or India's development under British rule. During the period of French protectorate status, like other colonial countries, France introduced modern Western government structure, education, courts and architectural styles on its land, thus one can see today many colonial buildings remain.

In 1907 finally Angkor and Battambang was returned to Cambodia by Thailand. The Cambodians had not forgotten about their past. And so it was a great celebration at Angkor Wat joined by King Sisowat and many French residents. At the same time the tourist’s arrived in Angkor. In three months, more then two hundred tourist visited Angkor. And a visit at this time was not simple as today. To reach the temples, the tourist had to go by boat and buffalo-drawn cart. On site a straw hut on piles served as a hotel. Guests had to bring their own cooking equipment, food and bed linen. The French established the "Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient", whose aim was to clear the temples from the vegetation, the restoration and study of the temples and to ensure their conservation. One idea was also to improve the access for visitors. That means to build roads to and around the temples. Jean Commaille cleared Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom from the vegetation. But the cleaning is never finished as after each rain season the vegetation is growing back.

In 1925, Angkor was officially opened as a park. At this time the routes around the temples has been finished. Still today the roads are called "short circuit" and "long circuit". After the opening, the tourism was booming. They came in convoys by car from Saigon (today Ho Chi Minh) and Bangkok.

In September 1940 , after France is invaded by Germany, Japanese troops occupy Indochina without meeting any resistance. Officially the word is that the French colonial power leaves all military installation for the Japanese troops to use; in exchange the French colonial administration remains in office. Therefore the years of World War II bring less destruction to Cambodia than, for instance, to the fiercely contested Southeast Asian states of Burma and the Philippines. In 1941 the French colonial masters proclaim 18-year-old Prince Norodom Sihanouk king of Cambodia, expecting to be able to easily control the politically inexperienced youth and on the assumption that he would prove suitably pliable. This turned out to be a major miscalculation as the years after 1945 were strife-torn, with the waning of French colonial power aided by the proximity of the Franco-Viet Minh War that raged in Vietnam and Laos. In March 1945 the Japanese military remove the French colonial administration and force young King Norodom Sihanouk to proclaim the independence of his country. Subsequently, France tries to reestablish herself as colonial power in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. In 1946 King Norodom Sihanouk demands independence for his country from France. The French colonial masters respond by abolishing the absolute monarchy in Cambodia and by restricting the position of the king to representative status. A national assembly is elected. In 1949, Cambodia got his own government. In 1952 King Norodom Sihanouk enters self-elected exile, announcing he would return to Cambodia only when the country is independent. On November 9, 1953, France releases Cambodia into independence and King Norodom Sihanouk returns and the first independence is achieved since 1864. In 1955, in order to free himself from the restrictions set for the king by the Cambodian constitution, Norodom Sihanouk abdicates in favor of his father, Norodom Suramarit, and enters politics. In successive elections, in 1955, 1958, 1962 and 1966, the party of Norodom Sihanouk wins every seat in parliament. In the 1950's and `60s, Cambodia was a prosperous country and Phnom Penh was called the "Paris in Indochina". The enigmatic King Norodom Sihanouk going on to dominate national politics for the next 15 years before being overthrown by the army.

In 1969 the United States starts carpet-bombing communist base camps in Cambodia to interrupt the supply trails of the Vietcong. The bombardments last until 1973. In 1970, while Norodom Sihanouk is in Moscow on a state visit, Marshal Lon Nol stages a coup d'etat in Phnom Penh. He abolishes the monarchy and declares Cambodia a republic. Norodom Sihanouk chooses to stay in Peking, presiding over a government in exile. The Khmer Rouge are part of it. During the following years, the Khmer Rouge conquer more and more regions of Cambodia, until finally only Phnom Penh remains under the control of the Lon Nol government. On 17 April 1975, the Khmer Rouge pushed out Lon Nol and ruled Cambodia. More then one million Khmers died under the reign of Pol Pot. King Sihanouk was brought to a deserted capital and maintained under house arrest. American and South Vietnamese troops invaded the country in 1970 to eradicate Vietnamese communist forces but were unsuccessful; they did manage, however, to push Cambodia's leftist guerillas (the Khmer Rouge) further into the country's interior. Savage fighting soon engulfed the entire country, with Phnom Penh falling to the Khmer Rouge in April 1975. On April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge march into Phnom Penh. Within a few days, the execute a large number of Cambodians formerly connected to the Lon Nol regime. More than 2 Million inhabitants of Phnom Penh are forced out of the city and moved to provincial labor camps. Phnom Penh becomes a ghost town. The economy of the entire country is transformed along radical Communist lines, money is simply abolished. The consequences include famine and epidemics. Within the following 44 months more than a million Cambodians fall victim to the Khmer Rouge rule of terror. Temples Refugees who make it to Thailand report atrocities of the worst kind: executions of children, only because they were not born of peasant families or of Vietnamese or Chinese origin. Whosoever was suspected of being educated, or to be a member of a merchant family, was murdered: clubbed to death, not shot, in order to save ammunition. During this period, the Khmer Rouge, under Pol Pot's leadership, systematically killed an estimated two million Cambodians (targeting the educated in particular) in a brutal bid to turn Cambodia into a Maoist, peasant-dominated agrarian cooperative. Currency was abolished, postal services were halted, the population became a work force of slave laborers and the country was almost entirely cut off from the outside world. Responding to recurring armed incursions into their border provinces, Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978, forcing the Khmer Rouge to flee to the relative sanctuary of the jungles along the Thai border. From there, they conducted a guerilla war against the Vietnamese-backed government throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. On December 25, 1978, after a series of transgressions at the Cambodian-Vietnamese border, the Vietnamese army invaded Cambodia. On January 7, 1979, Vietnamese troops occupy Phnom Penh. A Vietnam-friendly government is installed, Heng Samrin, a Khmer Rouge guerrilla who earlier had fled to Vietnam, is proclaimed President. The new Cambodian government is not recognized by Western countries. In 1982, three Cambodian resistance groups, the Khmer Rouge, the National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) of Prince Sihanouk, and the anti-communist Khmer People's National Liberation Front of former PM Son Sann, form a coalition aiming to expel the Vietnamese occupation forces. In 1989 the Vietnamese troops retreat from Cambodia. On October 23, 1991, the government previously installed in Phnom Penh by the Vietnamese, together with the resistance coalition, among them the Khmer Rouge, sign a peace treaty in Paris. Three weeks later, on November 14, 1991, Prince Sihanouk returns to Phnom Penh. The population of the capital receives him enthusiastically.

The Paris Peace Agreement was reached in 1991, which has been created by the United Nations. 22,000 UN troops ensured the first free election in Cambodia in 1993. In 1992 the United Nations Transitory Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) had taken over the government and the administration of the country. The Khmer Rouge do not adhere to the Paris Agreement which stipulates that warring factions lay down their arms. They boycott the elections, reject peace talks and continued to buy large quantities of arms from the Cambodian military leadership. In the months following the election, a government-sponsored amnesty secured the first defections from Khmer ranks, with more defections occurring from 1994 when the Khmer Rouge was finally outlawed by the Cambodian government. On May 23, 1993, in elections for a constitutional assembly, supervised by the UN, FUNCINPEC wins 45 % of the votes, the Cambodian People's Party of the government installed by the Vietnamese achieves 38 %. FUNCINPEC and CPP agree to form a coalition government. King Norodom Sihanouk became King of Cambodia for the second time.

The uneasy coalition of Prince Ranariddh's National United Front and Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party fell violently apart in July 1997, and when the dust settled Hun Sen assumed sole leadership of Cambodia. Elections in mid-98 returned Hun Sen to this position, despite grumbling from opposition candidates about dodgy electoral practices. While his democratic credentials are far from impressive, the one-eyed strong man has proved to be something of a stabilizing force for Cambodia. After creation of new coalition government headed by Prime Minister and with establishment of House of Senates in addition to the lower law making institution the National Assembly, Cambodia has experienced stability in terms of politics and economics. This allows Asean to accept Cambodia as its final 10th member. Being part of regional groupings, Cambodia looks forward to attracting investments from the region and elsewhere.

Pol Pot's death in April 1998 from an apparent heart attack was greeted with anger (that he was never brought to trial) and skepticism (he has been reported dead many times before). It's expected that the surviving 'top level' Khmer Rouge leaders will finally be brought to trial at the end of 2001, through the auspices of a tribunal assisted by the UN and overseen by a mixed team of Cambodian and foreign prosecutors. Hopes for justice are clouded by the fact that former Khmer Rouge loyalists still hold positions of power in Cambodia, and only a small handful are currently in custody. It is doubtful that former foreign minister (and Pol Pot brother-in-law) Ieng Sary will be tried, on the grounds that such an action could destroy the country's new-found sense of stability. However, the trial will do much to restore Western faith in Cambodia, attracting foreign aid and strengthening the country's position as a member of ASEAN. Future stability is also tied to improving the country's notoriously dodgy economy (dealt a body blow by the devastating floods of 2000), eradicating the entrenched culture of corruption and answering the troubled question of who will succeed King Sihanouk, the last in a long line of Angkor's god kings.